Hawkins' ton a last day highlight as a huge run chase proves just too much for Staffs in stalemate

STAFFORDSHIRE'S Championship encounter at Suffolk ended in a draw - but not before they had flirted with pulling off an unlikely success.

- Chris Travers

Suffolk batted for the majority of the third and final day at Copdock before declaring at tea on 306-6.

That left Staffordshire requiring 260 to win in 33 overs in the searing East Anglian heat - and James Kettleborough's men didn’t shirk the challenge.

They sent out a revamped batting lineup to try to chase down that testing target but ultimately shut up shop after losing wickets to close on 210-5.

There was a fitting end to the contest, though, as Staffs wicketkeeper Callum Hawkins - promoted to open the batting in the chase - pummelled a six off the final ball to bring up his maiden three-day century for the county.

Hawkins walked off unbeaten on 103 with huge cheers marking his ton after he sent the ball over the ropes.

Supporters and teammates rushed to congratulate the Moddershall & Oulton youngster on his superb innings, which contained 11 fours and three sixes.

Staffordshire sent Liam Hurt, fresh from his batting blitz on day two, to open with Hawkins as the visitors eyed a fast start.

Hurt did pongo one six out of the ground, but in attempting to send another maximum into orbit, he skied the ball and keeper Jacob Marston pouched the catch to give Jack Beaumont the first wicket.

That wasn’t necessarily the start Staffs would have wanted, but out to the middle strode Sam Atkinson, below, to join club-mate Hawkins.